Want to Buy TLR, Rangefinder or SLR 4.5x6 or 6X6

[ggervais]

Hi,

Looking to get back into photography. Wife says I need a hobby...

Will consider any TLR ( Rolleicord, Yashica, Mamiya, Minolta) or SLR (Fuji, Pentax, Mamiya) with normal lens and maybe an extra wide-angle lens.

Must be in excellent working condition. Please indicate prices in Canadian dollars. PayPal only.

Thank you

G

 

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[Sirius Glass]

Do not forget the best medium format slr the Hasselblad V series which has lenses from the 30mm Fisheye up to the very rare 1760mm telephoto lens. This is the kind of camera that the Astronauts took to the Moon.

 

[ggervais]

Do not forget the best medium format slr the Hasselblad V series which has lenses from the 30mm Fisheye up to the very rare 1760mm telephoto lens. This is the kind of camera that the Astronauts took to the Moon.

I am well aware of the Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Contax and other so-called top of the line. I seem to remember that they were a tad over my price range.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I am well aware of the Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Contax and other so-called top of the line. I seem to remember that they were a tad over my price range.

Think of them as just requiring that you just have to wait a little longer for your next lens. It is a much more positive approach.

 

[ggervais]

Think of them as just requiring that you just have to wait a little longer for your next lens. It is a much more positive approach.

I probably won't live that long! LOL

 

[fatboy22]

What is you price range, you are looking to spend on camera or camera system, i have many medium format cameras I may sell soon.

 

[GRHazelton]

You might consider the Pentax 645n or the 645nii. Several excellent lenses can be found, the 35mm is outstanding equivalent to 21mm in 35mm format. Autofocus lenses are available, but pricey. Handling is excellent. While it uses inserts rather than exchangeable backs, inserts are available for 120 or 220 film - if you can find 220 film! The 645nii adds mirror lockup, but the vibration level is minimal so lockup is not really needed. Do not confuse the 645n with the older 645, which is a rather different beast and not as nice.
Ken Rockwell tells it like it is: https://www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/645/645n.htm Rockwell also discusses the 35mm, the 75mm standard lens, and the 120 macro lenses on the Pentax portion of his site. I own all three lenses, and they are really good. I also own the 55mm wide angle, which is also good. The 645 lenses are made the proper way - enameled metal and smooth focussing mounts. Since the 645 lenses also fit the 645 digital cameras from Pentax their prices rose with the introduction of the digital model. An angle finder is out there, if you can find it. Adapters are available to mount some Pentax 67 lenses to the 645 cameras.

 

[eli griggs]

Minolta Autocord, meterless, "E" model, 1958, which I have and use, will give you the quality you'll want in a TLR, and is a more sound machine than the Yashica 124 "G" or otherwise, and completive glass with Rollieflex products at a price far below that price point.

This is my opinion and others may disagree but the Minolta Autocord cameras are very good.

 

[Two23]

Your budget will largely decide what you get. I've bought and used a fair number of 120 based folding cameras (30?) plus another dozen 120 film "box" cameras (Brownie) and like using them. I've really come to love the ones from the 1920s and 30s. There are several ways to "group" them. First, are you doing to use a tripod or not? Cameras like the Pentax 645, Bronica--e.g. most that resemble the Hassleblad form, are generally best used on a tripod. Second, do you need a meter or can you use a handheld meter? Having a metered prism is going to drive up cost and limit you. Third is whether or not you really need interchangeable lenses or not. That will drive up cost. I started out in the 90s with a Bronica ETRS (645) system and liked it. Great lenses and system at the lowest cost. I later bought a Hassleblad with standard lens. I sold all that when I bought into digital.


Around 2010 I got bored with digital and bought a simple Kodak Brownie No.2 vintage 1904. I still have it and take photos with it! It's a lot of fun and I like the look of the photos. I also love the fancy "luxury" folders made in Germany in the 1920s and early 30s but those are a bit fiddly to use. I have three Rolleiflexes including an "Art Deco" Rolleicord. Those are very easy to use without a tripod and a lot of fun. Probably at their best when taking photos around a city as they're inconspicuous. Cameras made after WW2 will have a coated lens. There are a number of really good TLR cameras out there such as the Mamiya, Minolta Autocord, Yashica that are affordable. Another camera I like is the Voigtlander Bessa RF, a camera made just before WW2 and has a rangefinder, folding design, and takes 6x9 images. These are my most used medium format cameras, the ones I take on trips etc.: Kodak Brownie No.2, Rolleiflex MX, Voigtlander Bessa RF. I just don't need interchangeable lenses much. They add bulk and slow me down. I suggest you try a vintage Brownie No.2. They are inexpensive, plentiful, and a LOT of fun! Shoot Ilford FP4+ film and learn how to process your own. (Easy as making pancakes.)

Attached photo is a Bessa RF.


Kent in SD

 

[GRHazelton]

Minolta Autocord, meterless, "E" model, 1958, which I have and use, will give you the quality you'll want in a TLR, and is a more sound machine than the Yashica 124 "G" or otherwise, and completive glass with Rollieflex products at a price far below that price point.

This is my opinion and others may disagree but the Minolta Autocord cameras are very good.

Right you are!
I have an Autocord with the selenium meter - working! - but which I find inconvenient to use. It is delight to use, and the results are excellent.

 

[lecarp]

A TLR with only two lenses, the viewing lens and the taking lens.
Also a second just like it should anything happen to the first one.

 

[ggervais]

Done looking. Thank you to all who replied.

G

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Just curious, what camera did you get?

Marcelo

 

[ggervais]

Just curious, what camera did you get?

Marcelo

OLympus OM-2S

Guy

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Not what I thought you will get but nice camera nonetheless

Had one myself but died on me. It worked great while it lived. Have fun.

Marcelo

 

[mgb74]

Done looking. Thank you to all who replied.

G

But wait! We haven't finished with our advice.

 

[pbromaghin]

But wait! We haven't finished with our advice.

And we need at least another week to argue about it!

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Yeah, quite rude of the op for buying his camera with a full forum discussion.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I mean, this post is barely a page lengh. Should be at least 5 to 6 pages of discussion. Thats the norm right?

 

[mgb74]

And we need at least another week to argue about it!

There's alway at least one optimist in every crowd.

 

[Huss]

OLympus OM-2S

Guy

I was going to sell you a Leica M for $10.
Oh well.